On the way to a diverse energy portfolio in Ohio

DAVE KARPINSKIDave Karpinski is Vice President of NorTech and Director of NorTech Energy Enterprise. He leads the organizations efforts to accelerate economic growth in Northeast Ohio's advanced energy industry and has over 20 years of private sector experience in a variety of manufacturing-related industries.

Between a contentious presidential election, and rampant media coverage, backed up by significant actual activity, there has been much attention in Ohio and across the country, and rightfully so, centered on the potential of natural gas from shale and the future role of coal. Ohio has been at the heart of these discussions, or arguments. But I'd like to shed some light on what is happening right here and now in Ohio beyond fossil fuels. The recent Advanced Energy B2B Conference & Expo was host to a panel discussion with several key players in the state involved in developing significant advanced energy project s on Ohio soil. They all are helping to achieve the state's quest to have a diversified energy portfolio, which is a prudent strategy to mitigate long term risks in our energy needs and supply. Just as relying on only one or two investments for retirement would be a very risky endeavor, so is relying on just one or two energy sources, even if those sources are in abundance today. The projects highlighted at the conference help to meet the goals of the alternative energy portfolio standard established in Ohio by Senate Bill 221. The state law, enacted in May 2008, requires that by 2025, 25% of the electricity sold by each investor owned utility and electric services company within Ohio must be generated from alternative energy sources. At least 12.5% must be generated from renewable energy resources, including wind, hydro, biomass and at least .5% by solar.Advanced and renewable energy projects create jobs and leverage natural resources and industrial supply chain capabilities already available and growing within the state. The major projects highlighted at the conference include: • Iberdrola developed the 304 MW Blue Creek Wind farm in the lands of Northwest Ohio where the wind is strong • In Northeast Ohio, Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. is pursuing a 27 MW offshore wind project to leverage the abundant wind resource found on Lake Erie and to launch a new industry • Turning Point Solar, LLC is developing a 50 MW solar project on acres of reclaimed strip mining land in Southeast Ohio and thereby establishing a stronghold for a solar panel manufacturer in the state • Throughout the state, quasar energy group is developing anaerobic digesters that convert biodegradable waste into bio gas, which is used to generate electricity and as a transportation fuel. They have five already in service and several more in process; each can generate up to 1 MW. These projects, and the projects to follow, are important contributors toward achieving a diverse supply of electricity in the state and increasing our capacity for the future. The Energy Industry Administration (EIA) surveys electric power producers regarding their capacity plans. As of the end of 2010, electric power producers planned to add 72,273 megawatt (MW) of capacity between 2011 and 2015. Of this, 47.3% was planned to be fired by natural gas (34,151 MW) and 13.1% from coal (9,480 MW). Planned wind additions totaled 15,043 MW, or 20.8% of total reported planned additions. Wind has seen a tripling of its generation capacity since 2004. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Ohio was the fastest growing state for new installations in 2011, and now has enough wind installed to power over 100,000 homes.Though Ohio may be front and center in the game changing shale gas development picture, it is also rich in alternative energy resources and scale projects are on the way. These projects and the many that will follow, along with the many other smaller scale projects throughout the state, will play a large part in creating our energy future. We need to remain committed to furthering advanced energy sources to ensure our robust energy future over the long term.

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